The Crop Training Centre (CTC) in Yei, Central Equatoria State, on Wednesday launched the HARVEST Project, an initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening resilience and enhancing food security in South Sudan.
The one-year project targets at least 500 beneficiaries, including farmers, extension workers and government officials, and was unveiled during an inception meeting attended by local authorities, development partners and community representatives.
Baraka Amule David, programme manager at the Crop Training Centre, said the initiative would equip farmers with practical skills and modern farming techniques to help improve production and promote sustainable livelihoods.
“This HARVEST project is a one-year initiative targeting 500 beneficiaries,” David said. “The objective is to increase productivity, enhance resilience and improve food security. We need collaboration and partnership to achieve these goals together.”
Rose Doru Sumbe, director of Yei Town Payam, urged communities to prioritise agriculture as a driver of economic stability, saying the sector remained the backbone of the local economy.
“We are all living under the poverty line because of our expectations from oil money,” she said. “We need to focus on agriculture to promote the economy and fight rising food prices in the market.”
Bongomin Innocent, monitoring and evaluation programmes officer for Action Africa Help International (AAH-I), said the project would also support the Crop Training Centre through infrastructure upgrades, including the renovation of training blocks and other facilities.
“The funding is coming directly to the Crop Training Centre, with an initial focus on renovation,” he said. “Sustainability has been factored into the proposal, and AAH has been supporting areas where assistance is needed.”
Isaac Asiki, director of agriculture in Yei, welcomed the project and encouraged farmers, particularly youth and women, to form cooperatives to better access support and resources.
“Funding nowadays is largely directed through cooperatives and organised groups,” Asiki said. “When people work individually, support is often misused, but organised groups can benefit more effectively.”
The HARVEST Project is expected to support farming communities in Yei and surrounding areas by improving livelihoods and strengthening resilience against food insecurity.
and then